Pump



Aug. 19, 1924. 1,505,165

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UNITED STATES WILLIAM H. REEVES, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

PUMP.

Application led November 12, 1923. Serial No. 674,230.

To all whom,.z't may concern.'

Be it known that I., WILLIAM H. REEVES, a citizen kof the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Pump, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates 'to pumps of the type used for removing or handling returns, consisting chiefly of condensate and air, from steam heating systems and other vapor apparatus in which a vacuum is maintained.

One of the principal objects ofthe invention is to provide a pump in which the principal elements are arranged in a novel rela tionship and are operated in a novel manner with the result that the efliciency of the heating system is improved, higher efficiency in. the performance of the pump work is obtained, and loss of heat from the con densate by radiation is lessened by quiet operation of the mechanism. These desirable results are obtained by providing means for the continuous and promptl removal of the condensate, and automatically controlling the continuous removal of air at the variable rates necessary for the maintenance of thel desired vacuum in the system, and separating the condensate and air and handling the same with individual pumps of types best adapted to their respective duties. Each pump is operated at its most advantageous speed and both are connected to a common motor or other prime mover by a practically silent form of driving connection. In the pumps now usually used for this service the air in the cylinder or other form of vacuum compartment is in intimate contact with condensate or other relatively hot water used for sealing or hurling purposes. The inevitable result of this is that low volumetric efliciency is obtained in pumping the air, because the heated water evaporates rapidly from any substantial increase in vacuum and resultant decrease in temperature, the vapor occupying space in the suction or filling compartment of the pump and in proportion to the space so filled with steam reduces the quantity of air that can be taken in from the heating system.

With wet vacuum pumps in which the condensate and air are handled together as a mixture by one pump and the pump is steam actuated, it is feasible to use a commercial vacuum governor for controlling the steam supply to the pump for automatically obtaining the graduated speed variation necessary to maintain constantly the desired vacuum in the heating system, providing the pump is large enough to handle all of the condensate plus some air even at their low rates of speed. But where a pump of this form is po'we driven and where automatic speed graduate. for the maintenance of a uniform vacuna. cannot beeasily obtained, the pump must either run continuously at full speed or be eperated intermittently by starting and stopping. tioned involve a sacrce, one in waste of power to drive the pump in. heat lost by radiation from the condensate by storing it for important intervals of time; and the other in an eflciency loss in the heating system through a fluctuating vacuum and possibly by an accumulation of condensate in the return line.

In other forms of power or electrically operated outfits in which the condensate and air are handled satisfactorily by in dividual pumps and which operate at constant speeds, automatic control for ,starting and stopping the unit is undertaken; but little economy can result from automatic control for intermittent operation because two separate and distinct pumping conditions obtain. The control must be such that the unit will run when there is condensate to be removed or when the vacuum is at or below the desired minimum degree at which the governor may be set for a starting point with the result that the vacuum pump will, operate unnecessarily at times because there is some condensate to pump; and likewise the condensate pump will operate unneoes@ sarily at. other times because the vacuum is low.

Also in motor drivenv reciprdcating Wet vacuum pumps it is diflicult to accommodate the pump and motor speeds. The ratio is so high that ordinarily two speed rcductions are needed and the drive is usually accomplished by a double set of spur gears, or one spur ear reduction and one reduc tion by a bet and pulley. Both of these reductions are seriously noisy in locations where noise is objectionable.

Another object of my invention is to overcome all of the difficulties and objections Both plans of operation last menlil@ rthe vacuum pump above mentioned and Others encountered in the use of the usual pumps and to obtain other objects and advantages, all of which will be apparent from the following description reference being made to the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating one forni of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation with parts in `section.

,another relationship.

In the preferred embodiment of the ini vention as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the principal elements are the hotwell 1, the centrifugal condensate pump` 2, the reciprocating piston vacuum pump 3, the worm gear drive 4 and the motor 5, all sup orted upon a common bed late 6. A exible coupling 7 is provided or driving cooperating parts o'f the shafts 8, 9 and 10. The shaft 8 is from the motor to the worm gear drive 4, the shaft 9 is from the worm gear drive 4 to the centrifugal condensate pump 2, and the shaft 10 is from the worm gear drive 4 tothe reciprocating piston vacuum pump 3. Just as the construction of the internal mechanism of the motor 5 is so well understood that no detailed illustration thereof is required, so also is the internal construction of the centrifugal condensate pump 2, the reciprocating piston vacuum pump 3 and the worm gear drive 4 so well understood that no detailed illustration thereof is needed.

The hotwell 1 receives the returns of condensate and air through an inlet opening 11 and for the condensate has an outlet passage 12 leading to the centrifugal condensate pump 2. .An opening 13 through the top of the hotwell 1 constitutes an outlet for air and suction and is controlled by a float valve 14 movable to and from a seat 15 within the cage 16 to prevent the passage of water and the flooding of the vacuum pump which might otherwise occur when the apparatus is idle, or if the condensate pump should fail to remove the condensate fast enough to keep the water level in the hotwell 1 at a relatively low stage. A vacuum governor 17 controls the valve 18 in the air suction ipe 19 leading from the opening 13 (Fig. 3 to 3. The space below the diaphragm 20 of the vacuum governor 17 is connected by a pipe 21 with the air suction pipe 19 between the valve 18 and the outlet opening 13 from the hotwell 1. The governor 17 functions to regulate the rates of flow of air from the hotwell 1 to the vacuum pump 3 requisite for the maintenance of the desired vacuum at which the governor 17 may be set and at the same time permits the vacuum pump 3 to run continuously at uniform speed. This results in a saving of power approximately in pro ortion to the reduction in quantity of air handled below the maximum capacity of the pump 3.

The centrifugal condensate ump 2 may be of any preferred orwell understood construction and will remove the condensa-tc from the hotwell 1 and discharge the condensate through an outlet passa e 22 leading to the boiler or other point o disposition.

The capacity of the condensate pump 2 is governed by the head of water on the suction side in the hotwell 1 and while running continuously at uniform speed will automatically remove condensate from the hotwell 1 at the various rates of flow; for, as the rate of inflow increases, the Water level will rise and increase the suction head on the pump 2, thus enabling the pum to handle more water; and, as the rate o iniiow decreases the water level and suction head will likewise decrease.

While the assembly and relationship of parts above described may be deemed preferable, I do not restrict m self thereto since it is obvious that the assem l may be varied. For instance, as shown in ig. 5, the motor 5 has a double driving shaft extension and is placed in the center of the group, the condensate pump 2 being directly connected to one end of the motor shaft 23 and the worm drive gear 4 having its shaft 24 directly connected to the other end of the motor shaft 23, while the vacuum pump shaft 25 is drectly connected to the gear shaft 26 of the worm gear drive 4.

Or, the parts may be assembled as shown in Fig. 6 in which the condensate pump 2 having double shaft extension 27 is placed in the center of the group, one end of the pump shaft 27 being directly connected to the motor shaft 23 and the other end of the shaft 27 being directly connected to the worm shaft 24. In this arrangement the gear shaft 26 of the worm gear drive 4 is directly connected to the shaft 25 of the vacuum pump 3.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention constitutes a compact assembly in which the principal elements perform their duties in a highly efficient manner, overcoming all of the disadvantages and objections hereinbefore mentioned and acting automatically when in use. I do not restrict myself unessentially, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is CII it. A pumping unit comprising a driving element, a liquid pump, an air pump, an a Worm gear drive having Worm and gear shafts connected to said liquid and air pumps and to said drivin element.

2. A pump unit comprising a hotwell having openings for the removal of condensate and air, a condensate pump, a pipe from the condensate removal opening of the hotwell to the condensate pump, a vacuum pump, a pipe from the air removal opening of the hotvvell to the vacuum pump, a vacuum go v ernor having a valve in said last named pipe, a driving element for the overnor connecte-d with said last named pipe at a location between said valve and the hotwell, a driving mechanism, and a Worm gear device operated by said driving mechanism and connected with the condensate and vacuum pumps.

3. A pumping unit comprising a driving element, a condensate pump, a vacuum pump, a hotvell in communication with each of said pumps, and a'vvorm gear drive having Worm and gear shafts connected to condensate and vacuum pumps and to said driving element.

4. A pumping unit comprising a driving element, a condensate pump,Y a vacuum pump, and av Worm gear drive. having the gear shaft connected to said vacuum pump. the driven end of the Worm shaft connected to said condensate pump, and the driving end of the Worm shaft connected to said driving element.

5. A pumping unit comprising a hotwell having openings for the admission of returns and Ifor the removal of condensate and air, a condensate pump having an intake connected with the condensate outlet of the hotvvell, a. vacuum pump having an intake connected With the air outlet of the hotvvell, a driving element, and a worm gear drive having Worm and gear shafts connected to said condensate and vacuum pumps and to said driving element.

6. A p-umping unit comprising a hotwell having openings for the admission of re turns and for the removal of condensate and air, a centrifugal type of condensate pump having an intake connected with the condensate outlet of the hotivell, Va vacuum pump having an intake connected with the air outlet of the hotivell, a vacuum governor controlling said intake, a driving element. and a worm gear drive having gear and 1worm shafts connected with the condensate and vacuum pumps and with said driving element.

7. A pumping unit comprising a hotwell having openings for the admission of returns and for the removal of condensate and air, a condensate pump having an intake connected with the condensate opening of the hotwell, a dry type of vacuum pump having an intake connected with the air outlet of the hotvvell, means for preventing flow of Water from the hotivell to the. vacuum pump, a .driving element, and a Worm gear drive having Worm and gear shafts connected with the condensate and vacuum pumps and With said driving element.

8.- A pumping unit comprising a hotvvell with openings for the admission of returns and for the removal of condensate and air, a condensate pump having an inlet con nected with the condensate outlet o't' the hotvvell, a displacement piston type of vacuum pump having an inlet connected with the air outlet of the hotwell, automatic means for opening and closing communica tion between said hotwell and said vacuum pump, means for preventing flow of Water from the hotvvell to the vacuum pump, a driving element, and a Worm gear drive having Worm and gear shafts connected to the condensate and vacuum pumps and to a driving element.

9. A pumping unit comprising a hotwell having openings for admission of returns and for the removal of condensate and air, a condensate pump having an intake connected with the condensate outlet of the hot- Well, a vacuum pump 'having an intalce connected to the air outlet of the hotWell, a driving mechanism, a Worm gear drive having Worm and gear shafts connected to the condensate and vacuum pumps and to said driving mechanism, a vacuum governor having a valve in the suction of the vacuum pump, a driving element for the governor connected with the vacuum at a location on the inlet side of the governor valve.

l0. A pumping unit comprising a hotwell having openings for admission oi returns and removal of condensate of air, a condensate pump having an intake connected with the condensate outlet of the hotvvell, a vacuum pump having an intake connected with the air outlet of the liotwell, a driving element, a Worm gear drive having Worin and gear shafts connected to the condensate and vacuum pumps and to said driving ele* ment; and a liquid check valve consisting of a fioat, a seat and a cage located in the suction of the vacuum pump preventing fio'vv of Water from the hotvvell to the vacuum pump.

11. A pumping unit comprising a hotwell having openings for admission of returns and for the removal of condensate and air, a condensate pump having an intake connected With the condensate outlet of the hotvvell, a vacuum pump. an intake to the vacuum pumipconnected to the air outlet of the hotwell, a driving mechanism, a Worm gear drive having Worm and gear shafts connected to the condensate and vacuum pump shafts and to said driving mechanism, a vacuum governor having a valve in the llitl llti suction of the vacuum pump, a driving element for the governor connected with said intake to the vacuum pump at a point on the inlet side of the governor valve; and a Water check valve consisting of a float, a seat and a cage located in the suction of the vacuum pump preventing flow of Water from the otwell to the vacuum pum 12. A pumpin unit comprlsing a hotwell having openings or the admission of returns and removal of condensate and air, a rotary type of condensate pump having an intake connected with the condensate outlet of the hotwell, a vacuum pump, an intake to the vacuum pum 4 connected with the air outlet of the hotwe l, a motor, a worm gear drive having the driving end of the worm shaft connected to said motor, the driven end of the worm shaft having iexible connection with the condensate pump and the gear shaft having flexible connection with the --vacuum pump, a vacuum governor having a valve in the suction of the vacuum pump, a driving element for the governor connected WithA said intake to the vacuum pump at a point on the inlet side of the governor valve; and a water check valve consisting of a float, a seat and a cage located in the suction of the Avacuum pump preventing passage of water from the hotwell to the vacuum pump.

13. A pumpin unit comprising a liotwell having openings or the admission of returns and for the removal of condensate and air, a condensate pump connected with the opening for the removal of the condensate from the hotwell, a vacuum pump having an intake connected with the opening for the removal of the air from the hotwell, worm gearing, a motor for driving the worm gearing, connections for operating the condensate pump from the worm gearing, and connections for operating the vacuum pump from the Worm` gearing.

14. A pumping unit comprising a hotwell having openings for the admission of returns and for the removal of condensate and air, a condensate pump having an intake connected with the opening for the removal of condensate from the hotwell, a vacuum pump having an intake connected with the open ing for removing the air from the hotwell, a motor, a Worm gear drive device operated by the motor, and independent shafts for operating the condensate pump and the vacuum pump from the worm gear drive device.

15. A pump unit comprising a .condensate pump, a dry vacuum pump, a driving element, a Worm gear drive with gear and worm shafts connected to the condensate and vacuum pumps and to said driving element, a vacuum governor having a valve in the section of the vacuum pump, and. a driving element for the governor connected with the vacuum at a location on the inlet side of the governor valve.

16. A pumping unit comprising a condensate pump, a vacuum pum a drivin element, a gear drive wlth driving an driven shafts connected to said driving element and to the condensate and vacuum pumps, and a vacuum governor having a valve in lthe suction of the vacuum pump, the driving element of the governor being connected with the vacuum at a location on the inlet side of the overnor.

17. A pumping un1t comprising a hotwell having o enings for admlssion of returns and for t e removal of condensate and air, a condensate ump having an intake connected with t e condensate outlet of the hotwell, a vacuum pump having an intake connected to the air outlet of the hotwell, a driving element, a gear drive with driving and driven shafts connected to said driving element and to the condensate and vacuum pumps, and a vacuum governor having a valve in the suction of the vacuum pump, the driving element of the governor being connected with the vacuum at a location on the inlet side of the governor valve.

18. A pumping un1t comprising a hotwell having openm for admission of returns and removal o condensate and air, a condensate pum having an intake. connected with the con ensate outlet of the hotwell, a vacuum pump having an intake connected with the air outlet of the hotwell, a prime mover, `a gear drive oomprisin driving and driven shafts connected to sai prime mover and to the condensate and vacuum pum s; and a liquid check valve consisting o a float, a seat and a cage located in the suction of the vacuum pump preventing passage of Water from the hotwe-ll to the vacuum pump.

19. A pumping unit comprising a hotwell having openings for admission of returns and for the removal of condensate and air, a condensate pump having an intake connected with the condensate outlet of the hotwell, a vacuum pump having an intake connected to the air outlet of the hotwell, a prime mover, a gear drive comprising driven and driving shafts connected to said prime mover and to the condensate and vacuum pumps, a vacuum governor having -a valve in the suction of the vacuum pump, the driving element of the governor being connected with the vacuum at a point on the inlet side of the governor valve; and a Water check valve consisting of a float, a seat and a cage located in the suction of the vacuum pump preventing passage of Water from the hotwell to the vacuum pump.

WILLIAM H. REEVES. 

